Smashing Newsletter

Slowly but surely, 2017 is coming to an end. Time for some end-of-the-year wallpapers!

To get you in the right mood for December and the upcoming holiday season, artists and designers from across the globe once again got their creative ideas bubbling and created festive and inspiring desktop wallpapers for you. Wallpapers that are a bit more distinctive as the usual crowd and that are bound to add some holiday cheer to your screen.

All wallpapers featured in this post can be downloaded for free and come in versions with and without a calendar for December 2017. Happy holidays!

Please note that:

All images can be clicked on and lead to the preview of the wallpaper,

You can feature your work in our magazine by taking part in our Desktop Wallpaper Calendars series. We are regularly looking for creative designers and artists to be featured on Smashing Magazine. Are you one of them?

Coming Home

December is undoubtedly the family month. As a civil engineer I worked abroad and this was the only month we were guaranteed to return home to be with our families. I tried to represent this in my illustration, using, naturally, my namesake: Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. Even he has the right… — Designed by Rodolfo Henriques from Portugal.

Celebration Galore Is Here Again

Christmas bells are swinging above the snow fields, we hear sweet voices ringing from lands of long ago… It’s time to count your blessings, sing your Christmas carols, open your gifts, and make a wish under the Christmas tree! — Designed by Norjimm Pvt Ltd from India.

Getting Hygge

There’s no more special time for a fire than in the winter. Cozy blankets, warm beverages, and good company can make all the difference when the sun goes down. We’re all looking forward to generating some hygge this winter, so snuggle up and make some memories. — Designed by The Hannon Group from Washington D.C.

Winter

The winter solstice has always been special to me as a barren darkness that gives birth to a verdant future beyond imagination, a time of pain and withdrawal that produces something joyfully inconceivable, like a monarch butterfly masterfully extracting itself from the confines of its cocoon, bursting forth into unexpected glory. (Gary Zukav) — Designed by Dipanjan Karmakar from India.

A Merry Christmas You Will Have

I am a huge fan of Star Wars and there’s a new Star Wars movie premiering December 14, so I designed a parody cartoon image of Master Yoda on Dagobah wishing everyone a Merry Christmas… Yoda-style. I designed a candy cane as his walking stick and added a Christmas hat to complete the picture. I hope you like it! — Designed by Evita Bourmpakis from Greece.

The Season Is Calling

Christmas is coming… Music fills the air, stars brighten up the sky, Santa is on his way loading gifts for us on his sleigh… It’s time that we awake from our slumbers, open up our hearts, and be taken by all wonders of this beautiful month! — Designed by IPIX Technologies from India.

Let’s Spread Love And Joy

The beauty of Christmas is in the happiness and cheers of the family that gathers around the gifts wrapped in colors of joy and peace all the way from Santa’s world. While the angels in the heaven, sing praises of the Lord, let us welcome Christmas with heartfelt joy and happiness. Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. — Designed by Acodez IT Solutions from Mumbai, India.

The World Is Asleep

The snow kisses the trees and fields gently; and then covers the earth entirely with a white quilt and slowly whispers into its ears ‘Go to sleep, till the summer comes knocking at the door.’ — Designed by Tours In India from India.

I Fell In Love With You In December

Christmas In Matera

I designed a front view of the famous Sassi of Matera, the Italian city that will be ‘European Capital of Culture in 2019’, by using ‘modular hearts’ and simulating the texture of typical Christmas jumpers. — Designed by Antonio Cappiello from Italy.

Happy Birthday Rudyard!

December 30th is the birthday of Rudyard Kipling, the writer of the Jungle Book. To celebrate, I decided to create a very festive jungle scene with some of the characters from the story. — Designed by Safia Begum from the United Kingdom.

Snowy White

It is that time of the year when the world is covered in layers of white snow. Let’s bring some warmth to this cold month by getting wrapped in blankets and sipping a hot cup of chocolate by the fireplace. — Designed by TBPL Builders from India.

Join In Next Month!

Please note that we respect and carefully consider the ideas and motivation behind each and every artist’s work. This is why we give all artists the full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience throughout their works. This is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us, but rather designed from scratch by the artists themselves.

A big thank you to all designers for their participation. Join in next month!

What’s Your Favorite?

What’s your favorite theme or wallpaper for this month? Please let us know in the comment section below.